Baseball & Basketball | Sports & Leisure Classifieds

The traditional American sports of baseball and basketball have been increasing in popularity in the UK for a number of years. The following attempts to provide advice on the purchase of the appropriate equipment, in order to derive maximum enjoyment and fulfilment from these sports.

BUYING BASEBALL EQUIPMENT

BASEBALL BATS

Length
The majority of baseball bats are thirty-four inches long. So called "fast pitch" bats are a little shorter, but gripping a standard bat an inch or two higher will achieve the same effect.

Weight
Various weights of bat are available ranging from twenty-six to thirty ounces. Opinions differ as to whether a lighter or heavier bat is better. Some argue that a lighter bat can be swung faster, while smaller batters are of the opinion that a heavier bat swung at speed will move faster than a lighter one. A maximum weight of twenty-eight ounces is recommended, even for the strongest men.

TYPES OF BASEBALL BAT

Balanced
A balanced bat has even weight distribution, enabling the batter to push and place the ball more easily.

"End-loaded"
An end-loaded bat has most of its weight at the end, making it ideal for those seeking to hit a home run every time they step up to the plate.

Double and Single Walled Bats
The double walled baseball bat has become the standard for most players. The way in which the wall of the bat reacts when a ball is struck (known as the "trampoline" effect) is far superior to single walled bats, enabling better striking.

BASEBALL GLOVES & MITTS

Quality
Superior products can be identified by higher-grade leather, along with better construction and design. These work together to produce a glove or mitt that is durable and helps the ball into and out of the pocket. The highest quality gloves are usually made of heavy leather that will need some time to break in. The main difference between gloves and mitts is that gloves have fingers. Mitts are better for controlling balls that don't hit in the "pocket" and scooping "ground balls." First base and catcher are the only positions allowed to use mitts.

First Base
First base mitts have a thin but stiff pad that runs around the circumference of the mitt with little or no padding in the palm or finger area. Some manufactures make specific first base mitts, usually 13 inches or larger.

Catcher
Baseball catcher's mitts usually have a very thick pad around the circumference of the mitt and thick padding in the palm and finger area and a small pocket.

TYPES OF BASEBALL GLOVE
Open web gloves tend to trap the ball better than closed web gloves. Closed web gloves tend to get the ball out of the pocket more quickly. First and third base players tend to prefer open web gloves. Middle infielders prefer closed web gloves to help get the ball out quickly. Most pitchers use closed web gloves to enable them to hide the ball. Whether a glove has an open or closed back is really a matter of personal taste.Open backed gloves are generally more lightweight and fit more snugly at the wrist. However, close backed gloves often have Velcro fasteners to adjust the fit of the glove.

BUYING BASKETBALL EQUIPMENT
Kids and adults alike can "shoot hoops" in their own garden with a convenient home basketball setup. This will usually be either a wall-mounted basket or a portable system. "In-ground" basketball systems are only necessary for serious games, are expensive and require extensive installation.

Wall Mounted
Wall-mounted basketball systems allow you to attach a basket to the side of your house or garage. They include a backboard, rim, net, mounting kit and an extension arm that allows the rim and net to extend out from the wall.

Portable Systems
Portable basketball equipment usually consists of a wheeled "standalone" unit, with pole, backboard and rim. The base needs to be filled with sand to provide stability when in use.
Most portable systems have a folding basket for easy storage.

When contemplating the purchase of a basketball system, remember that the three most important components are the pole, backboard and rim.

Poles
The diameters of basketball poles can be from four to six inches. The greater the diameter of the pole, the more stable it is, and more capable of supporting a heavier backboard.

Backboards

Rectangular
Rectangular backboards are generally more expensive, but making shooting easier.

Semi-circular
Typically cheaper than the rectangular type, but "bank" shots off this type of board are difficult.

For home use, backboards generally fall into the forty to sixty inch range. Larger, easier to hit backboards are excellent for beginners. Backboards can be constructed from a range of materials, including steel, aluminium, fibreglass, glass and acrylic. The durability of acrylic makes it best suited to home use. A � inch thick acrylic backboard will provide a consistent surface.

Rims
The basket rim is mounted onto the backboard, holding a net in place with steel clips. Ideally, the rim should be eighteen inches in circumference and � of an inch thick.
Fixed
Fixed rims attach directly to a backboard. Fixed rims make a good choice for people who don't want to hang off the rim or practice "slam dunking."

Springloaded
Springloaded breakaway rims provide the flexibility needed to prevent a rim from breaking when a player hangs off the rim or frequently slam dunks a ball.

BASKETBALL ACCESSORIES

Balls
Basketballs come in a variety of colours, sizes and materials. Ball constructed of synthetic materials are versatile insofar as they can be used indoors and outdoors.

Nets
Basketball equipment can take a hammering from aggressive players and the elements. A spare all-weather nylon cord net is worth keeping as a standby.

Safety
Make your setup as safe as possible. Pole pads will predominantly protect players, but also look after your equipment.

Clothing
Lightweight, breathable clothing is most comfortable, enabling you to play your best game.

Footwear
The right shoes are important for basketball. Numerous ranges of high-top, mid-top, and low-top basketball shoes, for both sexes, are available to suit all budgets.

SECOND-HAND EQUIPMENT
For both baseball and basketball, many second-hand items can be purchased inexpensively. This may prove ideal for the novice, who may be uncertain as to their aptitude for the sport. Second-hand equipment is most abundant on the Internet, but it is wise to be circumspect, as without seeing the items, it is very much a "pig in a poke" scenario